Alice J. Balsano

Alice Jean Balsano, 92, of Centralia, passed on Sunday, July 29, 2018 at Salem Township Hospital in Salem, Illinois surrounded by her family. She was born August 19, 1925 in Argyle, Missouri, daughter of Regina (Schell) Wilde and Bernard C. Wilde. She married Frank Balsano on March 27, 1954 in Murphysboro, Illinois and he preceded her in death on August 4, 2001. She attended grade school and high school in Argyle, Missouri and Freeburg, Missouri. She attended Warrensburg State Teachers College in Warrensburg, Missouri and also Kaskaskia College. She is survived by three daughters: Pamela Balsano of Centralia, Illinois; Terri Nicol and husband David of Lexington, Kentucky; Lori Timmons of Salem, Illinois; three grandchildren: Mary Bain, Erik Nicol, and Kristin Inlow; two great-grandchildren: Jalen Inlow and Aurora Bain, many nieces, nephews, cousins; and many special friends. She was preceded in death by her parents: Regina and Bernard Wilde; her husband: Frank Balsano; her daughter: Jamie Balsano Martoccio; four sisters: Albertine Marfeld, Dolores Schwartze, Lorene Wansing, and twin-sister Sylvia Meglio; and a brother: Leander Wilde. Her brother Leander Wilde was missing in action after World War II and never was found, which left the family in great sorrow in their lives. She worked as a teacher in a two room school house where she would build the fire before classes each day so her students would be warm when they came to school after walking a long way. She worked as a pay roll and accounting clerk, a retail sales person, was employed as a Supervisor at Hollywood Candy Company in Centralia, and worked at Warren G. Murray Developmental Center where she retired. She worked part time as a “Green Thumb” Job Coordinator and a Foster Grandparent. Her life was enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She also enjoyed spending her time dancing, traveling, playing Bingo, and enjoying the beauty of nature. She loved to write poetry, and wrote one about every member of her family. Her poems were published in “The International Book of Poetry.” Most of all, her family was her life. Visitation will be Thursday, August 2, 2018 from 5:00-7:00 PM at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home in Centralia. The rosary, her favorite prayer, will be said at 5:00 PM before the start of the public visitation. She was a devout and faithful Christian all her life. Services will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Centralia Friday, August 3, 2018 at 9:30 AM with Monsignor David Darin officiating. Burial will follow in the Resurrection Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri at 2:00 PM. For those who wish to do so, memorials may be made for Masses in her memory, to light a candle, to say the rosary for the cure for cancer, or St. Jude’s Children’s Cancer Research Hospital and will be accepted at Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home, 235 North Sycamore Street Centralia, Illinois 62801, (618)532-3523, whom is honored to be of service to the Balsano Family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com.

Alice J. Balsano

August 19, 1925 - July 29, 2018